Medicare in Iosco County by the numbers
| Iosco County | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 7,982 | 1,926,752 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 31.5% | 19.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 9,689 | 2,334,917 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,742 | 1,484,072 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 59.3% | 63.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 7,982 residents age 65 and older, Iosco County is 46th among 83 Michigan counties for older residents. That group is 31.5% of its population, compared with 19.2% across Michigan. About 2,507 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Census 2023 estimates show 60% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 31% is 75 to 84 and 9% is 85 or older. CMS data show 59.3% of Iosco County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is close to the 63.6% average across Michigan. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Iosco County
Iosco County is a smaller-city and town county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of 5,000 to 20,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Counties like this often sit between a metro area and rural communities, so some residents use hospitals and specialists in a neighboring county and a plan’s network across the county line matters.
CMS counts 9,753 Medicare beneficiaries in Iosco County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the Michigan average of 72. About 18% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 20%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Iosco County, CMS reported about 686 emergency room visits and 202 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (645) and lower than it for hospital stays (245). About 7% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Iosco County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Iosco County; we help Iosco County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Iosco County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Iosco County:
- Tawas St. Joseph Hospital — Tawas City (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 3 of 5)
Network rules, not geography, decide whether a plan covers a hospital. We look up the hospitals and doctors you use and check them against each plan before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Iosco County: communities and ZIP codes
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Iosco County at East Tawas (2,680), Tawas City (1,843), Whittemore (418), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Iosco County include 48730, 48739, 48743, 48748, 48750, 48763, 48770. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Iosco County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Michigan’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Iosco County residents
Here is what we can help Iosco County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance and ICHRA.
Get a clear answer for Iosco County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Iosco County compared with similar Michigan counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason County | 7,830 | 66.7% | 22% | Smaller city/town |
| Cheboygan County | 7,676 | 57.2% | 20% | Smaller city/town |
| Roscommon County | 8,296 | 64.9% | 18% | Smaller city/town |
| Gratiot County | 7,437 | 67.6% | 22% | Smaller city/town |
| Alpena County | 7,403 | 57.6% | 21% | Smaller city/town |
| Charlevoix County | 7,377 | 56.6% | 14% | Smaller city/town |
See every Michigan county in our Michigan directory or go to our Michigan Medicare hub.